Poultry and Livestock: Hens eating egges

I have a hen that has been eating my eggs. I feed them early about 6:10 am daily. I don't get home from work until 6:00 pm. At that time I pick up the eggs. I have 18 laying hens I get between 3 to 7 eggs daily. I have not been able to find out what hen is doing the damage. Does anyone have any good answers, to correct the problem.

Weíve never had this problem (knock, knock) but Iíve heard of it. We feed kitchen scraps (including egg shells which they eat) in the early morning and layer ration just before fly-up time.

During the summer, I usually gather eggs more than once a dayĖyou have to stay ahead of the chicken (rat) snakes.

When youíre holding down a job, I know, homesteading duties canít always be done just as we have them pictured.

Youíll just have to experiment with it. It could be boredom. Try to pick out the culprit and lean a chopping axe close by where she can see it. It'll give her something to think about besides egg-eating.

Throwing the eggs in the yard was a big no no,now they think they can eat eggs.Your lucky if u only have one that is doing it.Do u have somone that can come collect the eggs a couple times a day for you?Try putting golf balls in the nests so when they peck it an it won't break she might give up but I doubt it.I have also heard about blowing out an egg and filing it with mustard and when they try to eat that they will stop.You will will probably have to take her out of the flock as it is hard to break them once they start and they will teach the others to do the same.Good luck